Located in Yamashina, Kyoto, the Daigoji Temple is a well-known Shingon Esoteric Buddhist temple with over 1000 years of history. It was founded by the monk Shōbō (832-909), later known by the honorific title Rigen Daishi, in the Heian period (874). The temple focuses on conducting prayers and esoteric rites for spiritual empowerment, and has garnered a following of influential devotees since its opening. Throughout its illustrious history, many Buddhist statues, paintings, and scriptures have been handed down.
In 2016, a selection of these treasures were loaned out to China for their exhibitions. The exhibitions traced the history and art from the Heian period to the modern times and were well received by the visitors in Shanghai and Xi’an.
The Kyushu National Museum proudly hosts this exhibition to commemorate the China exhibitions. Chosen from the vast array of 150,000 treasures, the careful selection of 104 beautiful masterpieces of esoteric Buddhist art from Daigoji Temple, such as a statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaisajyaguru) and attendant deities (National Treasure), and Buddhist beads (Important Cultural Properties), as well as the well-known artwork of cherry blossom viewing hosted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi will be displayed for a limited time.